Controlled rotational measuring head and spooling system for strings configured to deliver and retrieve downhole tools and method of its use

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a downhole tool spooling system of a spooled downhole tool string include an actuator connected to a measuring head of the string and configured to provide for controlled rotation of the measuring head. The measuring head may include more than one sheave, with the string being off vertical center when passing through the head. A controller may send a signal to the actuator to rotate the measuring head about a vertical axis of the head into different rotational positions. The actuator also may be configured to linearly move the measuring head in the transverse direction. The system may also include a spooling drum that is configured to rotate about its central vertical axis. The guide frame to which the actuator is connected may be a fixed guide frame or may be an adjustable guide frame that provides for vertical movement of the frame, a tilting movement, or both.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to spooling apparatuses and systems that allow flexible lines or strings to be fed into a well such as an oil or gas well. More particularly, this disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for rotating a measuring head used in connection with the spooling apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

A spooling apparatus like those typically used in oil and gas well interventions includes a drum which carries a line or string configured at one end to connect to a downhole tool. As the drum rotates under power, the string is reeled off or onto the drum and, therefore, into or out of the well.

To determine the depth of the string in the well, as well as the amount of tension on the string, the string passes through a measuring device—often called a measuring head—located downstream of the drum. As the string passes through the measuring head, the string may be wrapped around one or more wheels or sheaves of the head. Sheave rotation may be correlated to the length or depth of string being reeled into or out of the well. The measuring head may also include a weight indicator, load cell, or the like to provide the tension measurement.

The measuring head may be connected to a guide frame or skid in such a way that it can move from one side of the guide frame to the other or be positioned where needed. The measuring head may also freely rotate as the string changes its angle of travel as it is reeled off or onto the drum. When the measuring head includes a set of sheaves arranged one above the other, this free rotation can cause a problem because the string is not in concentric alignment with the measuring head as it passes through the sheaves. Because of this, the measuring head can begin to wobble and may be pulled completely to one side as the string is reeled off or onto the drum.

Additionally, in certain applications, such as but not limited to wireline and slickline operations, there is often a relatively short distance between the first sheave of the measuring head and the spooling drum. Because of the lateral forces involved, this distance cannot be shortened further using prior art systems without damaging the measuring head.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.

In embodiments of a spooling system for use with lines or strings configured to deliver and retrieve downhole tools of the disclosure, an actuator is connected to a measuring head of the string and configured to provide for controlled rotation of the measuring head. The measuring head may include more than one sheave, with the string being off vertical when passing through the measuring head. One end of the actuator might be configured for connection to the measuring head and another end might be configured for connection to a guide frame of the spooling system. Controlled rotation of the measuring head may help eliminate, reduce or prevent measuring head wobble or pull when the string is off vertical through the head.

A controller in electronic communication with the actuator may send a signal to the actuator to rotate the measuring head about a vertical axis of the measuring head between a first controlled rotational position and a second different controlled rotational position. The controller may include a microprocessor and associated software.

The actuator may include a gear train, and in addition to rotation may be configured to linearly move the measuring head between a first controlled transverse position and a second controlled transverse position relative to a vertical centerline of the guide frame. The actuator may also be used with a spooling drum that is configured to rotate about its central vertical axis. The guide frame to which the actuator is connected may be a fixed guide frame or may be an adjustable guide frame that provides for vertical movement, a tilting movement, or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject disclosure is further described in the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawing and schematic of non-limiting embodiment of the subject disclosure. The features depicted in the figure are not necessarily shown to scale. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a spooling system of this disclosure. A line or string that is configured for use with a downhole tool passes from a well center through a measuring head and to a spooling drum. The system includes an actuator configured for controlled rotation of the measuring head about its central vertical axis.

FIG. 2 is a reverse isometric view of an embodiment of the actuator configured for controlled rotation of the measuring head.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of the actuator.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating controlled rotation of the measuring head and spooling drum rotation to maintain the string in line from a center of the well to the drum.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of a control system for the measuring head, spooling drum and guide frame or drum skid.

ELEMENTS AND NUMBERING USED IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   10 spooling system     -   20 actuator     -   21 measuring head end of actuator 20     -   23 guide frame end of the actuator 20     -   25 gear train     -   27 bracket     -   29 actuator     -   30 measuring head     -   31 central vertical axis     -   33 first sheave     -   35 second sheave     -   40 spooling drum     -   41 central vertical axis     -   49 drum skid     -   50 guide frame     -   51 vertical centerline     -   52 rail     -   53 horizontal crossmember     -   54 pivot point     -   55 guide head tilt actuator     -   56 head     -   57 pivot point     -   59 guide frame tilt actuator     -   60 PLC or controller     -   61 microprocessor     -   63 software with executable instructions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, in embodiments of a spooling system 10 of this disclosure an actuator 20 is configured to control rotation of a measuring head 30 about its central vertical axis 31 as a spooled line or string S passes through the head 30. The actuator 20 may be used alone or in combination with a spooling drum 40 that is configured to rotate about its central vertical axis 41. The string S may be spooled cable, chain, rope, umbilical, or wire like those used in oil and gas operations and configured for use with a downhole tool. The string S is spooled about the spooling drum 40 and passes through the measuring head 30 which is located forward of the drum 40 (between the drum 40 and the well W receiving the string S).

The measuring head 30, which may be configured to measure string depth, tension, or both string depth and tension using means known in the art, may include a first and a second sheave 33, 35 arranged vertically. Because of this vertical arrangement, the string S passes through the sheaves 33, 35 in an eccentric or off vertical manner, making the measuring head 30 susceptible to wobble or pull during spooling operations. (If the measuring head does not have more than one sheave on top, or if a longer single track type head is used, controlled rotation of the head might not be needed) Actuator 20 helps to eliminate, reduce or prevent wobble or pulling of the measuring head 30 to the side while keeping the head 30 in a desired rotational position or aligned with a center C of a well W receiving the string S.

In embodiments, one end 21 of the actuator 20 is configured for connection to the measuring head 30. Another end 23 of the actuator 20 is configured for connection to a guide frame or drum skid 50 of the spooling system 10. The connections may be made by joint-type or bracket-type connectors or the like. For example, in some embodiments the actuator 20 includes a bracket 27. Bracket 27 may be configured to permit a pivoting or rocking movement of the measuring head in a vertical plane as well as linear movement along a rail 52 of the guide frame 50.

The actuator 20, which may include a gear train 25, rotates the measuring head 30 in a controlled manner about a central vertical axis 31 of the measuring head 30 between a first controlled rotational position and a second different controlled rotational position, and may maintain the head 30 in a controlled rotational position. In embodiments, the actuator 20 may move the measuring head 30 through a 60° arc, 90° arc, 120° arc, or 150° arc as measured in a horizontal plane, or may rotate the head 30 through arc ranges and subranges between 60° and 150°.

In some embodiments, the connection of the end 23 to the guide frame 50 may be to a horizontal crossmember 53 of the guide frame 50 so as to permit a controlled linear or transverse movement of the actuator 20 and, therefore, the measuring head 30. An actuator 29 may be used to move the actuator 20 and measuring head 30 between a first controlled transverse position and a second controlled transverse position relative to a vertical centerline 51 of the guide frame 50, and may maintain the actuator 20 and head 30 in a controlled transverse position. The controlled transverse movement and controlled rotation may occur independent of one another or may be coordinated.

Embodiments may include a PLC or controller 60 in electronic communication with the actuator 20. The controller 60 may be a microprocessor 61 and associated software 63. The controller 60 may send a first signal or command to the actuator 20 and, in response, the actuator 20 may rotate the measuring head 30 about a vertical axis 31 of the measuring head 30 to a first controlled rotational position. In response to a second or subsequent signal or command, the actuator 20 may rotate the measuring head 20 to a second controlled rotational position. The first or second rotational position may align the measuring head 30 with a center C of the well W receiving the spooled string S or with a direction of travel of the string S. Alternatively, the rotational position may be one that counteracts a force that may create a wobble or pull on the measuring head 30.

Control of the head 30 may be automatic by controller 60 in response to one or more measured parameters including, but limited to, alignment of the head 30 with the center C of the well W, orientation and stability (pull or wobble) of the head 30, lateral or acceleration forces on the head 30, and angular position of the spooling drum 40. Control of the head 30 may also be performed by manually inputting commands to the controller 60 in response to, for example, one or more of the parameters listed above.

In some embodiments, the spooling drum 40 is a fixed drum. In other embodiments, the spooling drum 40 may be configured for adjustment horizontally (along its axis of rotation) or vertically (up or down), using means known in the art. In yet other embodiments, the drum 40 is configured for rotation about a central vertical axis 41 of the drum 40, again using means known in the art. The controller 60, or a separate controller, may be in electronic communication with actuators (not shown) that control this rotation of the spooling drum 40. The controller 60 may send a first signal or command to the spooling drum 40 and, in response to the first signal the drum 40 may rotate about its central vertical axis 41 into a first controlled angular orientation. In response to a subsequent or second signal or command, the spooling drum 40 may rotate to a second different controlled angular orientation. The controlled rotation of the drum may be independent of the controlled rotation of the measuring head 30 or may be coordinated with it.

Guide frame 50 may be part of a spooling drum skid or its equivalent. In some embodiments, the guide frame 50 is fixed. In other embodiments, the guide frame 50 is configured to provide one or more degrees of freedom of movement. For example, the frame 50 may include a pivot point or pin 54 that, in combination with guide frame actuators 55, provide for tilting movement of the head 56 of the frame 50. The actuators 55 adjust a tilt angle of the head 56, and therefore the frame 50, between a first controlled tilt angle and a second different controlled tilt angle, and may maintain the frame 50 in a controlled tilt angle. The frame 50 may include actuators 59 that pivot the frame 50 about a pivot point or pin 57 and move the frame 50 between a first controlled vertical height and a second different controlled vertical height, and may maintain the frame 50 in a controlled vertical height. In other embodiments, the frame 50 may include a sleeve-in-sleeve arrangement (not shown) in combination with vertically oriented actuators 59 that provide this vertical height adjustment.

The controller 60, or a separate controller, may be in communication with the frame actuators 55, 59. Controlled positioning of the frame 50 may occur independent of actuators 20, 29 and spooling drum 40, or may be coordinated with rotational and transverse movement of the measuring head 30 and rotation of the drum 40 (or some combination thereof).

By applying a controlled rotation of the measuring head 30, a distance between the well W and spooling drum 40 may be shortened when compared to prior art systems that do not control the rotation of the measuring head. When this controlled rotation of the measuring head 30 is used in combination with a spooling drum that can rotate about its central vertical axis, this distance might be shortened even more. Additionally, because the controlled rotation can provide a straight line of the string S from the well W to the drum 40, the lateral forces on the measuring head 30, and the wear caused by those forces, might be reduced or eliminated. The need for extra guide sheaves is also eliminated.

By controlling transverse position, tilt angle toward drum, and vertical height—in some combination with controlling the rotation of the measuring head—a straight line can be maintained from the center C of the well W to the drum. For example, controlling transverse position and head rotation positions the head 30 according to the center C of the well W and permits the string S to run in a straight line from the center C of the well W to the drum 40. Control of the tilt angle allows the string S to run in a straight line from the center C of the well W to the drum 40 during spooling of layers. Control of the vertical height adjustment makes it possible to have several heights of measuring head 30 sheaves 33 or 35 placed on the center of the well W and to switch between one or more drums 40 located on a drum skid 49.

While the disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for” or “step for” performing a function, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). 

1. An actuator for a measuring head of a spooled downhole tool string, the actuator comprising: one end configured for connection to the measuring head; another end configured for connection to a guide frame; the actuator configured to rotate the measuring head about a vertical axis of the measuring head between a first controlled rotational position and a second different controlled rotational position.
 2. An actuator according to claim 1 further comprising a controller in electronic communication with the actuator, the controller including a microprocessor and associated software.
 3. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator further is configured to linearly move the measuring head between a first controlled transverse position and a second controlled transverse position relative to a vertical centerline of the guide frame.
 4. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a gear train.
 5. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the measuring head includes more than one sheave.
 6. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the spooled downhole tool string is off a vertical centerline of the measuring head when passing through the measuring head.
 7. A method for controlling a rotation of a measuring head configured for use with a spooled downhole tool string, the method comprising: sending a first and a second signals to an actuator in communication with the measuring head; and in response to the first signal, rotating the measuring head with the actuator about a vertical axis of the measuring head to a first controlled rotational position; and in response to the second signal, rotating the measuring head with the actuator about the vertical axis of the measuring head to a second different controlled rotational position.
 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said first and second controlled rotational positions align the measuring head with a well center receiving the spooled downhole tool string.
 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said first and second controlled rotational positions align the measuring head with a direction of travel of the spooled downhole tool string.
 10. A method according to claim 7, further comprising: sending a third and a fourth signal to a spooling drum of the spooled downhole tool string; and in response to the third signal, rotating the spooling drum about a central vertical axis of the spooling drum so a central rotational axis of the spooling drum is in a first controlled angular orientation; and in response to the fourth signal, rotating the spooling drum about the central vertical axis of the spooling drum so the central rotational axis of the spooling drum is in a second different controlled angular orientation.
 11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising coordinating said controlled rotational positions of the measuring head with said controlled angular orientations of the spooling drum.
 12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the spooled downhole tool string is off a vertical centerline of the measuring head when passing through the measuring head.
 13. A method according to claim 7, wherein the spooled downhole tool string is selected from the group consisting of a cable, a chain, a coiled tubing, a rope, an umbilical, and a wire.
 14. A spooling system for use with a string configured for connection to a downhole tool, the spooling system comprising: an actuator including a connection at one end to a measuring head; and a spooling drum located rearward of the measuring head; the actuator configured to rotate the measuring head about a vertical axis of the measuring head between a first controlled rotational position and a second controlled rotational position; the spooling drum configured to rotate about a central vertical axis of the spooling drum and place a central axis of rotation of the spooling drum into a first controlled angular orientation and a second different controlled angular orientation.
 15. A spooling system according to claim 14, further comprising at least one controller in electronic communication with the actuator and the spooling drum, the at least one controller including a microprocessor and associated software.
 16. A spooling system according to claim 14, wherein the actuator is further configured to linearly move the measuring head between a first controlled transverse position and a second controlled transverse position relative to the central vertical centerline of the spooling drum.
 17. A spooling system according to claim 14, wherein the actuator includes a gear train.
 18. A spooling system according to claim 14, wherein the string is off a vertical center of measuring head when passing through the measuring head.
 19. A spooling system according to claim 14, wherein said first and second controlled rotational positions align the measuring head with at least one well center receiving the string and a direction of travel of the string.
 20. A spooling system according to claim 14, wherein said first and second controlled rotational positions of the measuring head are coordinated with said first and second controlled angular orientations of the spooling drum. 